Rosell Minerales

In this specimen we can observe numerous prismatic crystals of hydroxylherderite, an unusual calcium and beryllium hydroxylphosphate, with a very uniform beige color, very well defined faces and edges and with twinning. They are disposed on a matrix formed by albite crystals. The specimen is from the Piauí Valley, an area very rich in lithium-bearing pegmatites.

Size: 6.4 x 4.7 x 3.9 cm.
Main crystal: 1.4 cm.

Prismatic crystal of elbaite, with an intense green color, which shows a lighter green color on the upper flat face of the pinacoid when light passes through it. It is accompanied by clevelandite crystals. It comes from the Trigo collection.

Size: 2.3 x 2.2 x 1.9 cm.
Main crystal: 2 x 1.5 cm.

Col. Trigo (Mataró, Catalunya)

Elbaite specimen of very good size and thickness, showing us the prisms with vertical striations and well-defined terminal faces. Highlights the brightness and a more intense green color at the top and lighter at the base. A gem from Minas Gerais. It belongs from the Trigo collection.

Size: 4.9 x 2.3 x 2.2 cm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. Trigo (Mataró, Catalunya)

A classic specimen from this Brazilian locality. Various flattened, almost lenticular, siderite crystals with a yellowish green color, on which a group of dolomite crystals stands out. In dolomite we see numerous pseudohexagonal pyrrhotite crystals, some included in the dolomite. We did not observe the presence of cubanite.

Size: 5.5 x 3.8 x 2.4 cm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. Manchion (Barcelona).

This old piece stands out for the size of the crystals and their color. The largest crystal presents the classic fractures, perpendicular to the main axis. The minor, with the terminal face. They are pieces that came out many years ago, around the 70s. This specimen also stands out for the label of Joan Montplet, a well-known mineral seller from Sant Celoni (Catalonia).

Size: 6.4 x 5.4 x 4.7 cm.
Main crystal: 4 x 1 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona). Adq. Joan Montplet (Sant Celoni).

Floater crystal of columbite-(Fe), with a huge size for the species. We can observe numerous facets, some with striations, with brilliance. The specimen indicates "repaired" since a part (see photo) has been repositioned in its place, without affecting the quality. It is accompanied by minor lepidolite. Columbite specimens of this size are not common. We have analyzed the specimen and, in the attached diagram, we can see the results which indicate sample is in the columbite-(Fe) domain. Minor traces of Ti are present. We will send this results to the buyer. An exceptional piece.

Size: 8.6 x 6.2 x 3.5 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Col. F. Schweiger (Wien).
Analyzed specimen with report

Esthetic specimen formed by groups of lepidolite mica, bright and defined, on which we observe see a brilliant topaz crystal, slightly bluish and faceted, with excellent transparency. Uncommon on matrix. With old handwritten label.

Size: 5 x 4.5 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 10 mm. top.
Found in ±1990.

Col. H.G. Hopper.

A very aesthetic specimen from this classic Brazilian mine. Numerous aggregates of quartz crystals, with a very elongated prism, almost acicular, with well-defined terminal faces and exceptional luster and transparence. They form divergent aggregates on a siderite matrix, visible on the back, as lenticular crystals formed by flattened rhombohedra. Very aesthetic and huge size sample for this mine.

Size: 8.4 x 7.3 x 6.5 cm.

Very interesting specimen of elbaite that has been partially transformed into lepidolite. A Brazilian curiosity. It comes from the Joan Astor collection (Barcelona), with a handwritten and typewritten label.

Size: 5 x 2.9 x 2.6 cm.
Found in ± 1975.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

A good size hyaline quartz crystal that shows an interior "ghost" that follows the geometry of the main one. Greenish in tone, probably due to a member of the mica group, fuchsite. These specimens are rare to see today.

Size: 5.7 x 2.2 x 1.6 cm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. A. Trigo, Mataró.

A very aesthetic miniature, but with an exceptional color variation. Between red, blue and green. A delicatessen from Brazil.

Size: 2.1 x 0.7 x 0.6 cm.

Col. A. Trigo, Mataró.

A very aesthetic miniature, but with an exceptional color variation. Between red, blue and green. A delicatessen from Brazil.

Size: 1.4 x 1 x 0.7 cm.

Col. A. Trigo, Mataró.

Group of rutile crystals with a highly visible cyclic twin. A brilliant piece with years... From the Joan Astor collection.

Size: 2.7 x 2.3 x 1.9 cm.
Found in ca. 1980.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

Group of very elongated quartz crystals, with developed prisms and well-defined rhombohedral terminal faces. Very transparent. Some faces of the prism show growth oriented cavities.

Size: 6.9 x 4.6 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 6.9 x 1 cm.

Col. J. Astor (Barcelona).

Elongated single crystal of orange-pink childrenite without matrix. Transparent to translucent, with brilliance and defined terminal faces and altered prism.Very unusual for the species. From the former A. Trigo collection (Mataró).

Size: 2.5 x 1.1 x 0.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1985.

Col. Antonio Trigo (Mataró).

A very aesthetic miniature, but with an exceptional color variation. Between red, blue, green and yellow. A delicatessen from Brazil, referenced in Joan Astor's published work in issuu, that we recommend you visit and browse.

Size: 0.9 x 0.7 x 0.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1976.

Col. J. Astor (Barcelona). Adq. Lapidis.

Prismatic elbaite crystal, of an intense color, with the defined pinacoidal face truncating the prism. The label indicates that it comes from South Africa, but we are not aware that specimens like this have been found in this part of the world. A miniature gemmy piece.

Size: 1.2 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm.
Found in ca. 1973.

Col. J. Astor (Barcelona).

A very interesting specimen of topaz, in which we can see striated faces on the prism, truncated by pinacoids, very unusual. Transparence, brilliance and with the handwritten label from the Astor collection indicating "negative" faces. This piece was adquired to the well-know Catalan dealer Jordi Figueras, one of the suppliers of the Folch collection.

Size: 4.5 x 3.4 x 2.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1978.

Col. J. Astor (Barcelona). Adq. J. Figueras.

Group of elbaite crystals, in parallel growth, with striated prismatic faces, deep green color and good luster. From the former Manchion collection, with the characteristic label.

Size: 5.4 x 2.6 x 2.4 cm.
Found in 1989.

Col. Manchion (Barcelona) #483.

Excellent specimen of a quartz crystal with inclusions. In this specimen we can see green and reddish inclusions, most likely due to growths of chlorite and iron oxides in the growing crystal. A very interesting and aesthetic piece. From the Joan Astor collection.

Size: 5.8 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1975.

Col. Joan Astor.

Excellent specimen of a quartz crystal with geometric inclusions. In this specimen we can see green and reddish zonations, most likely due to growths of chlorite and iron oxides on the facets of the growing crystal. A very interesting and aesthetic piece. From the Joan Astor collection.

Size: 6.5 x 4 x 3 cm.
Found in ca. 1975.

Col. Joan Astor.

A good size beryl crystal, aquamarine variety, from those of oldtimes. It shows the faces of the hexagonal prism and terminal flat pinacoid. From the Manchion collection (Barcelona).

Size: 8.8 x 4.4 x 3.4 cm.
Found in 1988.

#279 Col. Manchion (Barcelona).

A classic old-time specimen of hydroxylherderite, well crystallized, with sharp translucent idiomorphic monoclinic crystals. Lustrous and with a greenish-yellow tone. Associated with albite and muscovite from the Golconda pegmatite in Brazil. From Manchion Collection, purchased to Dr. Joan Viñals. Previously misidentified as herderite.

Size: 5.5 x 4.2 x 2.7 cm.
Found in ±1987.

Col. Manchion #364, J. Viñals 04/1987,

Good sized rounded, globular crystals of lilac-pink lepidolite. This formation is also known as ball-peen lepidolite after the resemblance to the round end of a ball-peen hammer. Lepidolite is a Li-rich member of the series between polylithionite and trilithionite. A very aesthetic specimen from Manchion Collection.

Size: 9.4 x 9.2 x 8.2 cm.
Found in ±1991.

Col. Manchion #610.

A classic old-time specimen of hydroxylherderite, well crystallized, with sharp translucent idiomorphic monoclinic crystals. Lustrous and with a greenish-yellow tone. Associated with albite and muscovite from the Golconda pegmatite in Brazil. From Manchion Col., purchased in 1987 to Dr. Joan Viñals. Previously misidentified as herderite. Previamente mal identificada como herderita.

Size: 6.5 x 4.3 x 4.2 cm.
Main crystal: 3 mm
Found in 1987.

Col. Manchion #354, J. Viñals 04/1987,